Lightburn tutorial : using variable text from a spreadsheet in Lightburn

Lightburn tutorial: using variable text from a spreadsheet in Lightburn
In this Lightburn tutorial, we share how to level up using the variable text tools to personalise your jobs with data that has been compiled from a spreadsheet. Just like a mail merge by using a comma-separated values (CSV) file from any spreadsheet software, you can import names, numbers, descriptions or any other information that can be incorporated into your Lighburn job, saving you hours of editing and modification.
Create multiple results on one job without having to edit the design over and over again by getting Lightburn to do the heavy lifting for you.
This tutorial follows on from our introduction to the variable text tool: • Lightburn tutorial : C...
Join the Laser Livestream Facebook group - / laserlivestream
If you like this content and want to support us, please feel free to make a One-Time PayPal Contribution: ➜ www.paypal.me/GILP0
Interested in trying out Lightburn for yourself? You can get a 30 day trial of Lightburn to test. www.lightburn.com
0:00 - Introduction about using spreadsheet data in Lightburn
1:21 - Review about the variable text tools in Lightburn
2:34 - Setting up data from Google Sheets
3:30 - How spreadsheet data is read by Lightburn
4:37 - Exporting data as a Comma Separated Values (*.CSV) file
5:18 - Importing a Comma Separated Values (*.CSV) file into Lightburn
5:50 - Creating and using variable text marks in Lighburn
7:00 - Testing the variable text/spreadsheet merge in Lightburn
7:22 - Setting up multiple variable text marks in Lighburn's workspace
9:52 - Separating variable text marks for laying out in Lighburn
11:50 - Using variable text marks within your graphic design
17:26 - Using the array tool for the final layout
21:25 - Summery and ending
Perfect results with Lightburn's Print and Cut tools: • Lightburn tutorial: Ge...
How to make sure the material in your laser is safe: • Could Your Laser Cutte...
Emblaser beginners tutorials: bit.ly/3mKkGvD
Emblaser 2 review: • Emblaser 2 laser cutte...
Building an Emblaser Core: • Constructing an Emblas...
Thanks for watching and please subscribe!
#Lightburn #spredsheet #variabletext
★ If you love this review, you can hit the Thanks button and show me how much this video helped you and support the creation of other videos.
★ Subscribing, liking, and sharing my videos can really make a big difference to people finding them. If you are not subscribed, please consider it and then click the alarm button to be notified when I release new videos. Join the Laser Livestream: / laserlivestream

[@CruiseMonkeyGames]

Having a way to lock the test button in the "ON" position would make the design process much more streamlined. Awesome program, can't wait to put it through its paces.

[@stuartmcmillan284]

Thanks Gil, wow lightburn has so many features, no wonder I love it!. 🤟 Great video will look at ways I can use this feature, very handy to know. 👍

[@LaserLivestream]

Thank you Stuart 🙏 Glad this has opened more possibilities for you in Lightbuen and your laser!

[@dnswoodcreations1761]

SO awesome! Lightburn is such a great piece of software. We are open to sharing the files thank you for the great learning you share!

[@LaserLivestream]

Thanks for sharing that with us. What do you plan to use the spreadsheet in your next laser project?

[@jessetutterrow4320]

Thanks, I worked along in LightBurn as you presented the information. This helps me to learn and remember the process. I would encourage you to setup the file sharing ability.

[@LaserLivestream]

Thanks for the feedback, Jess. Super happy to hear that you worked alongside the video. WOrking on a way to get the files together for viewers. Watch this space :)

[@sterlingmull1420]

i would love to see some videos on the other text modes such as "cut settings"

[@PopsCustomSignsLLC]

Interesting work. I may look into doing this with my laser. Thanks!

[@LaserLivestream]

Thank you, Pops! Glad you learnt a little more about what Lightburn offers in its toolset. What kind of signs would you use these tools to create?

[@PopsCustomSignsLLC]

@@LaserLivestream I worked in the chemical industry for 40 years. I still have lots of contacts in the plants. I will now be able to offer them tags for various valves, meters, and other equipment that require sequential numbering. My laser has opened doors for me that I doubt my custom wood signs would have even afforded me the opportunity to knock on! :-) Thanks again Gil.

[@joehumet4634]

OK Great video but what if you have several sheets of material to run how do you get it to continue after placing in your new sheet and pick up from where it finished on the last sheet?

[@Hurricane1882011]

We used this to add a football roster with names and numbers to a playoff trophy. It worked really well. I was wondering if there are some place holders that can be used to help with alignment? We had four columns with a name and number in each column. It was a lot of switching to test. Some of the names were longer than others. We were using left justification so the numbers and start of names were inline.

[@LaserLivestream]

Great application for these tools. Let me do some research and I will make a Lightburn hints video for you :)

[@flow9992]

Thanks Gil, great video! I would like to know if you know a solution how to insert a graphic depending on a variable. So e.g. you have 500 Graphics and you want to replace "%3" by a specific graphic that is mentioned in csv.... my goal is to laser labels for a sorting system... I also thought about to use a special font, that contains all the graphics, but that seems to be very cumbersome... any ideas?

[@mattkennicott2998]

Thanks for the video. We are using this method to make name badges however it’s not loading them order. Is there a setting a I need change? It will load the names but out of order.

[@LaserLivestream]

Hi Matt, As I don't know how you set up your project file, may I suggest contacting Lightburn tech support, as they can look at your project. I have no doubt they will be able to offer you up a solution :)

[@migoalaso]

Gil, If I have a CSV file for example with 200 names and information and wanting to engrave on .75x4 in. name plates with the laser engraving area being 12x12 does Lightburn create pages which allows me to engrave a page at a time? Ex. engrave one 12x12 sheet then select a second page to engrave and so on.

[@LaserLivestream]

Let us know in the comments below how you could use a spreadsheet and the variable text tools in your next Lightburn project! And Gil would love to see the projects you are creating with your laser and Lightburn! Unfortunately, you can not post pictures to KZbin, but you can in the Laser Livestreams Facebook group! facebook.com/groups/laserlivestream We would love to have you aboard!

[@mikecrase3047]

Gil ..I know this is off topic but this the only way I can reach you. I have a couple of questions...Making cork coasters for daughter's wedding. What settings should I use to cut out circles and engrave design. Also want to try to get styrofoam. What settings do you recommend. I have a 15 watt blue diode Ortur. Thanks for your help. Enjoy your videos. Mike

[@LaserLivestream]

Mike, you can reach me on the Laser Livestream Facebook group - facebook.com/groups/laserlivestream/ Great place to ask questions and post picture, which would help understanding your question :) See you there :) 👍

[@TheRemyRomano]

I seem to be limited to nine rows in the CSV file. I wonder if anyone else experiences this. My files have over 100 rows so it’s a bit of a nuisance to have to break them down into files of nine rows. If I have more than nine rows I get an error on line 10 in my windows 11 installation.

[@LaserLivestream]

Great question Remy. As I don't have access to your Lihtburn files, I suggest contacting Lightburn support. I’m sure they can help and even check out the back end of the program. Let me know how you go! :)

[@BitSmythe]

Having a problem? "The CSV file had an error..." *HERE'S THE REASON:* You MUST have all the "useless" commas in your file. --- BAD file --- aaa,bbb,ccc dd ee ff ----- --- GOOD file --- aaa,bbb,ccc dd,, ee,, ff,, ---- And a BONUS: If you want a comma in the field, enclose in double quotes. Indeed, the best way to create is to use Excel and "Save as" CSV. --- aaa,bbb,ccc "Smith, Bob",, ee,, ff,, --- It took me HOURS of testing to find the reason. _You're welcome. ;-)_

[@FallenAngel-he5ko]

Boo